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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "FIN 301-1"
COURSE NAME: "Finance"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2017
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Mary Merva
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 8:30-9:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisites: FIN 201, FIN 202, EC 202, MA 208
OFFICE HOURS:
8:00-8:30 before class by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines both the theoretical and applied foundations required to make decisions in financial management. The main areas covered include an overview of the financial system and the efficiency of capital markets, evaluation of financial performance, time value of money, analysis of risk and return, basic portfolio theory, valuation of stocks and bonds, capital budgeting, international financial management, capital structure management, and the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course covers topics in finance: financial statement analysis, the operations of financial markets and their efficiency, international financial transactions, time value of money, diversification and analysis of risk, valuation of financial assets (stocks and bonds), capital budgeting, capital structure, and an introduction to derivatives. Emphasis is given to both theory and application with particular attention paid to using spreadsheets for building simple financial models, working with a case study, and writing of brief reports.
Please note that the course is a 300-level course in finance with a prerequisite of one year of accounting (financial and managerial), and a semester each of statistics and macroeconomics which includes college algebra. Students should be prepared to review some of this material as part of the course.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
· Develop critical analysis with respect to finance and economic decisions
· Learn to use quantitative methods to assist in critical analysis of investment decisions
· Analyze financial statements with Excel
· Write up financial reports
· Use the Internet to find and interpret basic financial data
· Gain competency in financial tools to promote continuous learning including a clear understanding of time value of money, valuation, and measures of risk and return
· Analyze financial situations to improve decision-making skills
· Apply economic concepts to financial decision-making
· Develop an awareness of ethical issues in finance based on the CFA Institute's Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Corporate Finance: A Focused Approach | Erhardt and Brigham | Southewest Cengage | 9781329078112 | | Any edition of the text book will do. | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Exam 1 | Problem-solving, short answers; spreadsheet and business memo | 25% |
| Exam 2 | Problem-solving, short answers | 25% |
| Exam 3 | Case study on international capital budgeting: 2 to 3 page financial report plus in-class exam. | 25% |
| Final Exam | Comprehensive problem-solving exam. | 25% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course. 94 to 100 A; 90 to 93 A-
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. 87 to 89 B+; 84 to 86 B; 80 to 83 B-
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings. 75 to 79 C+; 70 to 74 C; 65-69 C-
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail. 60 to 65 D+; 55 to 59 D; 50 to 54 D-
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant. Below 50.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance at lectures and participation in class discussion is strongly encouraged. The final exam is comprehensive so students who miss four classes or less (excused or unexcused) will have the option of dropping the lowest grade of Exams 1 OR 2 and shifting the weight to the comprehensive final exam. Students who arrive after the roll-call will be counted as absent.
Students who miss a midterm exam (with a formal excuse from the Dean's Office) will shift the weight to the final exam; you will be given the midterm to take on your own time under exam conditions and I will assess it so that you can check on the progress of your studies. No make-up exams will be given unless approved by the Dean's Office: see the University's policies for missed exams and refer to the Associate Dean.
4. Students must bring (and use) a basic calculator to class that includes the exponential function. During class no electronic devices are allowed unless there is a specific project we are working on which will be indicated by the instructor. Cell phones and other electronic devices may not be used during an exam.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Week 1: August 28, 30
Chapter 1: An Overview of Financial Management and the Financial Environment
Chapter 2: Financial Statements and Cash Flows
Week 2: September 4, 6
Chapter 3: Analysis of Financial Statements
Project 1 handed out
Chapter 12: Corporate Valuation and Financial Planning - Additional Funds Needed - sections of Chapter 12 on AFN
Week 3: September 11, 13, Extraordinary make-up class Friday, September 15 for Monday, October 2
Chapter 12 (cont);
Chapter 4: Time Value of Money
Week 4: September 18, 20, 22
Project 1 due Wednesday, 20th at the beginning of class: Exam 1: Chapter 1, 2, 3, and 12
Chapter 4: Time Value of Money (cont)
Chapter 5: Bonds, Bond Valuation and Interest Rates
Week 5: September 25, 27
Chapter 5: (cont).
Week 6: October 2, 4
Monday October 2nd - no class
Wednesday, October 4: Exam 2: Chapters 4 and 5
Week 7: October 9, 11
Chapter 6: Risk and Return
Week 8: October 16, 18
Chapter 6 (cont).
Chapter 7: Valuation of Stock
Week 9: October 23, 25
Case Study on Capital Budgeting
Chapter 9: The Cost of Capital
Chapter 10: The Basics of Capital Budgeting
Chapter 11: Cash Flow Estimation and Risk Analysis
Week 10: October 30
Case Study on Capital Budgeting (cont)
Week 11: November 6, 8
Case Study on Capital Budgeting (cont)
Case Study Due Monday, November 6.
Exam 3: Monday, November 6: Chapter 9, 10, 11
Chapter 17: Multinational Financial Management
Week 12: November 13, 15
Chapter 17: Multinational Financial Management (cont)
Week 13: November 20, 22
Chapter 8: Derivatives
Week 14: November 27, 29
Course Review
See University schedule for date, place and time for final exam: Comprehensive
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